Photos

Behind the scenes at the gala premiere for SFO's T2

A new Virgin America A320 -- aptly named "My Other Ride is a Spaceship" -- flies in tandem with WhiteKnightTwo carrying SpaceShipTwo on April 6, 2011. The aircraft were on their way to landing at San Francisco International Airport as the first to arrive at the new 640,000-square-foot Terminal 2.

WhiteKnightTwo, carrying SpaceShipTwo, flies near Virgin America's new A320, dubbed "My Other Ride is a Spaceship."

Richard Branson walks the red carpet after deplaning Virgin America Flight 2001. Among those in the crowd are reporters, airline officials and model Rachel Hunter.

American Airlines' T2 ticketing area is decorated with wood paneling and modern light fixtures.

Guests deplaning from Virgin America Flight 2001 get a taste of the red carpet treatment.

Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo, SpaceShipTwo and a chase aircraft as seen from Virgin America Flight 2001.

Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo, as seen from Virgin America Flight 2001.

Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo, as seen from Virgin America Flight 2001 after arriving at San Francisco International Airport. T2 is seen in the background.

A construction worker looks at his mobile phone in front of a large black-and-white print of Central Terminal, the 1954 building dramatically revamped to become the home of T2.

Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo can be seen past the nose of the just-landed Virgin America Flight 2001.

The aircraft that flew Virgin America Flight 2001 bears the name "My Other Ride is a Spaceship."

This April 6, 2011, photo shows a sign in San Francisco's International Terminal announcing Virgin America's switch to T2 on April 14.

Virgin America invited members of the media, VIPs and a few others to fly on a special flight to help promote the opening of T2. Notice the itinerary: Flight 2001 to "The Future." The airport code "RDD" is for Redding, Calif., which was needed to file the flight plan.

American's "Flagship of Detroit" DC-3 also was on hand during the T2 premiere festivities.

American's Admirals Club frequent-flier lounge in T2 is nearly twice the size of its previous lounge in Terminal 3. AA says the lounge is meant to evoke the feel of San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Park.

For kids, one play option in T2 comes in the form of wooden xylophones. Children with a phobia of birds may want to opt for T2's other play area, which features "mechanical butterflies."

Cushioned leather chairs are among the upgraded seating options for passengers flying out of T2.

The walkway leading to T2 from SFO's parking deck.

Looking toward security checkpoints from the ticketing lobby at the new T2. The white backgrounds near the security doors were only in place for the premiere.

A shot of Virgin America's ticketing counters at T2.

Public art plays a prominent role in T2. Here the "Topograph" installation hangs high above the main concourse lobby, with American's ticketing counters visible in the background.

T2 at San Francisco International Airport as seen from the departure drop-off roadway.

A press photo from Virgin America showing the view of the new T2 at San Francisco International.

A view of the "recomposure area" at San Francisco International's T2. The airport and its tenants tout the area's spacious setting as a comfortable way for fliers to "recompose" themselves after going through security.

The Virgin America ticketing area inside San Francisco Intenational Airport's new Terminal 2.

Virgin America Flight 2001 and Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo fly over the city of San Francisco.

Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo near gates at the new terminal at San Francisco International Airport on April 6, 2011.

A close-up of Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo at the new terminal at San Francisco International Airport on April 6, 2011.

Richard Branson is photographed at the new Virgin terminal at San Francisco International Airport on April 6, 2011.

A pre-premiere photo of San Francisco's T2, as provided by Virgin America.

The Virgin America ticketing area inside San Francisco International Airport's new Terminal 2.

An interior shot of San Francisco International Airport's new Terminal 2.

Richard Branson watches Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo from the window of an Virgin America jet named "My Other Ride is a Spaceship."

In a bit of humor on Virgin America Flight 2001, Richard Branson makes an attempt to kiss the ring of California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. That came after Newsom joked with Sir Richard about being knighted.

The Point Reyes National Seashore as seen from Virgin America's Flight 2001.

Today in the Sky's Ben Mutzabaugh sits down for an interview with Virgin America CEO David Cush at T2's premiere on April 6, 2011.

The signature "SAN FRANCISCO" lettering is applied to T2 just a week before it officially opens to regularly scheduled commercial flights.